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Hanover Park board backs one-year pilot for village-branded feather signs, proposes longer grand-opening and special-event banners
Summary
At its May 21 meeting the Hanover Park Village Board reviewed a package of sign-code changes: staff proposed increasing special-promotion permits from 10 to 15 days, extending grand opening banners from 30 to 60 days, and a one-year pilot to issue village-branded feather signs to new commercial businesses for a limited period; staff will draft an ordinance for formal readings.
Hanover Park’s Village Board reviewed proposed changes to the village sign code on May 21 that would give new businesses more temporary visibility while restricting permanent or visually intrusive signage.
Director Govin told the board staff recommends changing special-promotion permits from 10 days to 15 days (four permits per year, with ability to combine), raising the total possible days for combined permits to 60. The change, Govin said, responds to business requests for longer short-term display windows for sales and special events.
The presentation also recommended extending grand-opening banners from 30 to 60 days to help new businesses establish a customer base; the Economic Development Commission endorsed that change, Govin said. Staff emphasized the restrictions would remain: banners must be on private property, not within the right-of-way, and must meet size limits.
On the more contested proposal, staff proposed a one-year pilot to allow one village-branded feather sign per newly opened B1/B2 commercial business for a limited period (proposed 30 days). Under the plan the village would own and brand the feather signs, issue them at final occupancy, collect a refundable deposit and require a signed waiver that shifts installation liability to the business. ‘‘Ninety‑plus percent of the businesses that open do inquire if they could put up a feather sign,’’ Shubra, a staff presenter, told the board.
Trustees raised concerns about aesthetics and effectiveness. ‘‘I don’t like those waving feather signs. I think they look sloppy,’’ Trustee Porter said, voicing common objections that led staff to propose strict limits and village control. Board members also discussed practical placement problems for certain shopping centers (for example, Westview) where stores sit far back from arterial streets.
Supporters argued the village-branded, time-limited approach would help low-visibility businesses without creating uncontrolled clutter. The board asked staff to return with final permit language, deposit levels and installation details; trustees signaled support for a defined pilot period (board members discussed a one-year review).
Staff also reported that road-directory signs are not recommended at this time because many candidate poles are IDOT-controlled and past examples (Schaumburg) yielded limited effectiveness when local roadway control was absent.
Next steps: staff will prepare an ordinance and bring it back for a first reading and, later, a second reading with the proposed permit limits and pilot conditions for formal consideration at a future meeting.
